Audio T Verdict
Sonos Ace Ultra takes the original Sonos Ace and gives it a more capable driver, stronger adaptive noise cancelling and an extra five hours of listening time. It remains a premium pair of wireless headphones for music, calls and travel, with useful wired connections and a comfortable over-ear design.
The biggest change for anyone with Sonos at home is headphone linking. Ace Ultra can move supported music playing on a compatible Sonos system to the headphones and back again. That goes beyond the original Ace's TV Audio Swap feature, which is designed for listening to a compatible soundbar privately. Linking is currently an opt-in Early Access feature, so its requirements and limitations are worth understanding before you buy.
If you mainly listen from your phone, both Ace models deserve consideration. If you want your headphones to feel more closely connected to the Sonos speakers around your home, Ace Ultra makes the stronger case.
Made for Listening Everywhere
Sonos Ace Ultra combines custom 40mm drivers, ten microphones and Bluetooth 6.0 in a closed-back, over-ear headphone. You can pair it with a phone, tablet or computer for everyday listening without owning another Sonos product. At home, compatible Sonos speakers and soundbars add options for moving music or TV sound to your headphones.
Physical controls make the essentials straightforward. The Content Key handles volume, playback and calls, while a separate button switches between noise control modes. Wear detection can pause playback when you take the headphones off and resume it when you put them back on.
Music with More Control
New custom drivers work alongside Adaptive EQ, which responds to changes in fit. The Sonos app also offers three-band or eight-band EQ when you want to shape the sound yourself.
Less Outside Noise
Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation uses ten microphones to respond to your surroundings. Aware mode lets outside sound through when you need to hear what is happening around you.
Private Home Cinema
TV Audio Swap moves sound from a compatible Sonos soundbar to Ace Ultra. Dolby Atmos, dynamic head tracking and TrueCinema add options for a more spacious personal film soundtrack.
Part of Your Sonos System
Headphone linking can move supported audio between Ace Ultra and compatible Sonos products over your home WiFi network. This feature is currently available through opt-in Early Access.
A New Driver and Flexible Ways to Listen
Each ear cup contains a custom 40mm driver with a newly designed motor structure. Sonos developed it to give Ace Ultra greater control and detail across music, voices and film soundtracks. Adaptive EQ then takes account of changes to the seal around your ears, including those caused by glasses, hair or movement.
Most people will listen over Bluetooth, but Ace Ultra also supports wired audio. The included USB-C to USB-C cable provides a connection to compatible digital sources, while the USB-C to 3.5mm cable lets you use equipment with a conventional headphone socket, including many in-flight entertainment systems.
When Is Playback Lossless?
Lossless audio is available through a compatible USB-C source or over Bluetooth with a source device that supports aptX Lossless. Pairing Ace Ultra with an ordinary Bluetooth device does not automatically make the connection lossless. Headphone linking uses a different connection and does not currently carry lossless audio.
Adaptive Noise Cancelling, Aware Mode and Calls
Ace Ultra's ten microphones help its Active Noise Cancellation respond to external sound and changes in fit. That matters on a train or aircraft, but also in an office where the background noise changes throughout the day. Sonos has improved the noise cancelling system over the original Ace, particularly at low frequencies.
When you need to hear your surroundings, Aware mode blends outside sound with your music. Voice Boost can make nearby speech clearer in this mode, so a conversation or announcement need not mean removing the headphones. For calls, Sidetone lets you hear your own voice more naturally while noise cancelling is on.
TV Audio Swap and TrueCinema
With a compatible Sonos soundbar, TV Audio Swap transfers the television soundtrack from the room speakers to Ace Ultra. It is useful when you want to finish a film without disturbing anyone else, and you can send the sound back to the soundbar when you have finished. Supported soundbars include Sonos Arc Ultra, Arc, Beam (Gen 2), Beam (Gen 1), Beam Ultra and Ray.
Compatible surround and Dolby Atmos content can be presented as spatial audio through the headphones. Dynamic head tracking helps keep the apparent position of the soundtrack connected to the screen as you move your head. TrueCinema uses information about the room and soundbar to tailor that private listening experience more closely to your home.
Watching Together with Headphones
Up to two sets of compatible Sonos headphones can join the same TV Audio Swap session once each has been set up. Dynamic head tracking is disabled while two sets are listening together.
Headphone Linking: Music from Your Sonos System
Headphone linking is the feature that most clearly separates Ace Ultra from the original Ace. With a compatible Sonos product on your home WiFi network, you can move supported audio that is playing through your Sonos system to the headphones. Press and hold the Content Key to bring the sound to Ace Ultra, then use it again to send the sound back. You can also choose music for the headphones through the Sonos app.
That could be an album started in the Sonos app, music from your local library or an audio source connected to a suitable Sonos line-in product. It gives you a way to carry on listening privately when somebody else needs the room, then return the music to the speakers later.
What to Know About Early Access
Headphone linking is currently an opt-in Early Access feature. It requires setup in the Sonos app, home WiFi and a compatible Sonos product. At present, audio sent to Ace Ultra through headphone linking is stereo and does not support lossless or spatial audio. Audio started through AirPlay, Bluetooth or direct control from an external music app cannot currently be moved through headphone linking. Only one set of Ace Ultra headphones can have an active headphone link session at a time. Sonos may change the feature as development continues.
Sonos Ace or Sonos Ace Ultra?
The original Ace remains a capable choice if you want wireless listening, noise cancelling, lossless playback with a compatible source and TV Audio Swap. Ace Ultra adds features that matter most when you spend a lot of time listening at home or want closer integration with an existing Sonos system.
Sonos Ace
- Custom 40mm drivers and eight microphones
- Adaptive noise cancelling and Aware mode
- Up to 30 hours of listening with ANC on
- TV Audio Swap with compatible soundbars
- Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C and wired 3.5mm source connection
Sonos Ace Ultra
- New custom 40mm drivers and ten microphones
- Adaptive noise cancelling, Adaptive EQ and Voice Boost
- Up to 35 hours of listening with ANC on
- TV Audio Swap plus Early Access headphone linking
- Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C and wired 3.5mm source connection
Comfort and Battery Life for the Whole Day
Ace Ultra is designed for long listening sessions, with cushioned ear cups, a carefully balanced fit and a reinforced headband. The ear cushions can be replaced when worn. Sonos has also designed the battery for replacement by a suitably skilled operator, helping the headphones remain useful beyond the life of their original battery.
Sonos quotes up to 35 hours of listening with Active Noise Cancellation or Aware mode switched on. If you run out of charge, a three-minute rapid charge from empty can provide up to three hours of playback. A full charge from empty can take up to three hours. Actual battery life will depend on volume, settings and how you use the headphones.
What Comes in the Box?
- Sonos Ace Ultra headphones
- Travel case with removable cable pouch
- 0.75m USB-C to USB-C cable
- 1.2m USB-C to 3.5mm cable
- Set-up guide and legal/warranty information
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need other Sonos products to use Ace Ultra?
No. Ace Ultra works as Bluetooth or wired headphones on its own. A compatible Sonos product is needed for features such as TV Audio Swap or headphone linking.
Can Sonos Ace Ultra play music over WiFi?
Yes, through its Early Access headphone linking feature with a compatible Sonos system and the Sonos app. For normal listening from a phone, tablet or computer, you can also use Bluetooth or a suitable wired connection.
Does headphone linking support lossless audio?
No. Sonos currently specifies a compressed stereo stream for headphone linking. Lossless listening is available instead through a compatible USB-C source or Bluetooth device supporting aptX Lossless.
Can I connect Ace Ultra to two Bluetooth devices?
Yes. Bluetooth multipoint supports connections to two devices at once. It is disabled by default and can be enabled after the headphones have been set up in the Sonos app.
Which colours are available?
Sonos makes Ace Ultra in Black, Soft White, Agave and Sand. Please check which finishes are available to order from Audio T.
Hear Sonos Ace Ultra at Audio T
The choice between Sonos Ace and Ace Ultra depends on more than a specification list. We can help you compare the headphones, check whether your existing Sonos products support the features you want and explain how Bluetooth, TV Audio Swap and headphone linking differ in everyday use.
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss availability and arrange a demonstration. You can also explore the Sonos range at Audio T if you are planning a wider music or home cinema system.